Over the last year, we have increased the level of our commitments to finance partners providing both debt and equity capital, and are actively looking for more partnering opportunities.

For providers of debt finance

Our Investment Programme supports providers of all types of debt finance to smaller businesses in the UK. We are increasing and diversifying the supply of debt finance by working with new market entrants and supporting the growth of alternative lenders.

For providers of equity capital

Our equity programmes invest in large-scale, private sector managed funds of funds providing later stage capital, as well as alongside business angels and other early stage equity investors. These investments unlock additional finance to support business growth across the UK.

What we do

Smaller businesses are a vital part of the economy. They make up the overwhelming majority of businesses in the UK, employ millions of people and are responsible for almost half of private sector turnover. Their success helps to fuel UK productivity and economic growth.

Our role, as the commercial arm of the British Business Bank, is to increase the overall supply and diversity of finance – both product and provider – on offer to UK smaller businesses. We do this while providing value for money for UK taxpayers.

We do not finance small businesses directly, but instead work with the market to provide funding through our delivery partners. Our partners have investment programmes for a broad range of small and high growth businesses across sectors, regions and business stages.

Although we are Government-owned, we are managed independently. We have a clear mission, but with a high degree of flexibility to deliver our objectives, guided by our independent Board and investment committees. We design programmes and chose investments in response to needs and gaps in the market and continually look for new methods and partners to address the challenges small businesses face.

Our commitments in 2017-18

A growing lending portfolio

Supporting financial diversity

Our strategic and commercial objectives

Our partners

British Business Investments is the trading name of British Business Investments Ltd, a wholly-owned commercial subsidiary of British Business Bank plc, registered in England and Wales, registration number 09091930, registered office at Steel City House, West Street, Sheffield, S1 2GQ. It is not authorised or regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) or the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). British Business Bank plc and its subsidiary entities are not banking institutions and do not operate as such. A complete legal structure chart for British Business Bank plc and its subsidiaries can be found on the British Business Bank plc website.